Trailblazer Barry Lawson Williams Honored With $10M Fund To Advance Black Representation On Corporate Boards

Barry Lawson Williams, founder of the Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) progam, has been honored with a $10 million endowment to advance Black representation on corporate boards.

Increasing Black representation on corporate boards

At a gala event on Friday, September 27, 2024, honoring Barry Lawson Williams’ efforts to increase Black representation on corporate boards, Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business announced a $10 million endowment for the BCBR program.

The $10 million capital campaign will establish the Barry Lawson Williams BCBR Program Endowment Fund, ensuring the program’s sustainability, and further promoting board diversity.

A spokesperson for the Leavey School of Business commented, “Barry Lawson Williams has redefined corporate leadership by ensuring Black executives have a seat at the table. This endowment is a testament to his lasting impact.”

100 Black Voices Project

Since its founding in 2021, the BCBR program has trained over 300 Black executives, with more than 130 alumni currently serving on corporate boards across the nation. 

Of the program’s inaugural cohort, 22 out of 28 members have secured board positions.

At the event, Williams also unveiled the 100 Black Voices project, a groundbreaking video series featuring 100 Black corporate board members sharing their personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for success. 

The project aims to inspire Black professionals to pursue board roles while offering practical advice for navigating corporate leadership.

“Corporations need to recognize and leverage the unique perspectives Black executives bring to the boardroom,” Williams stated, calling for more mentorship and advocacy for Black executives seeking board appointments.

Feature Image Credit: McKinsey & Co.